Latch closure

ABSTRACT

The description relates to a latch closure for walls, doors, shutters which are articulated at frames, housings or the like by hinges, wherein the frame surfaces, housing surfaces, door surfaces or wall surfaces which are connected with one another by the hinges are essentially flush with one another in the closed position, comprising a first closure housing which can be fastened to the frame or the like and which has a rear-engagement portion for receiving the latch of the latch closure in a locking manner and a second closure housing which can be fastened to the door or the like and in which the latch is arranged so as to be displaceable against spring force by means of a handle, wherein, according to the invention, the second closure housing forms a projection which contacts an end face formed by the first closure housing essentially parallel to the door plane when the door is closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a latch closure for walls, doors andshutters which are articulated at frames, housings or the like byhinges, wherein the frame surfaces, housing surfaces, door surfaces orwall surfaces which are connected with one another by the hinges areessentially flush with one another toward the outside in the closedposition, comprising a first closure housing which can be fastened tothe frame or the like and which has a rear-engagement portion forreceiving the latch of the latch closure in a locking manner and asecond closure housing which can be fastened to the door or the like andin which the latch is arranged so as to be displaceable against springforce by means of a handle.

b) Description of the Related Art

Room door closures are usually latch closures but are installed insidethe door leaf. Formerly, it was often common to attach such latchclosures to the door leaf also.

Particularly in the latter case, the latch is accessible through the gapremaining when the door is closed and it is possible to push the latchback with a suitable tool such as a screwdriver and to open the dooreven when the actual actuating device that should draw back the latch islocked. This is a substantial disadvantage in the known latch closuresand is particularly troublesome in connection with doors of switchingcabinets whose interior must be protected against tampering or whoseinterior poses a danger to unauthorized persons.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to improve the latch closureof the type mentioned above in such a way that the latch is betterprotected from attempts at tampering and in particular it is made moredifficult to push the latch back with a screwdriver or similar tool.

In certain applications, for example, simply constructed housings whichare to be closed by a shutter, a stop at the door leaf or at the shutteror housing is omitted, so that it is difficult under certaincircumstances to bring the door into the position in which the closurelocks neatly. Therefore, a further object consists in providing, inthese cases, a stop for the door or shutter in the closed position whichis not formed by the door or the housing itself, but by the closure.

This object is met in that the second closure housing in the latchclosure of the type mentioned in the beginning forms a projection whichcontacts an end face formed by the first closure housing essentiallyparallel to the door plane when the door is closed.

By means of this step, the gap formed between the two closure housingparts of the closure is closed toward the outside in such a way that itis no longer possible to penetrate without difficulty between the twoclosure housing parts, for example, with a screwdriver, and to pry themapart and, in some cases, even push the latch out of its closedposition.

Further, it is possible by means of this projection to realize a stopfunction which functions independent from the door leaf or door frameand forms a stop for the door in the closed position. The advantage ofthis stop—compared with stops that are formed by the door leaf or thedoor frame itself—is that it enables a more precise position of the stopwith respect to the latch and accordingly also prevents the door fromrattling when there is play between the other stops, for example, due toinexact dimensioning of the stops or warping of the door or frame.

Additional protection against tampering by prying apart the closureparts is achieved when a groove which extends parallel to the frame isformed in the end face and when a spring or strip which can be fittedinto the groove projects from the projection.

For a good frictional engagement, it is advantageous when therear-engaging surface formed by the first closure housing for receivingthe latch lies below the end face and parallel to it according to afurther development of the invention.

In case the outer surface of the door and frame are not exactly alignedrelative to one another, it may be advantageous to provide a spacerplate which compensates for this difference in distance.

The latch closure according to the invention is particularlyadvantageous when the frame or the like and the outer contour of thedoor or the like are formed by profile pieces outfitted with undercutgrooves. A further development of this embodiment form is characterizedin that the two closure housings likewise have undercut grooves in theirmounting surfaces; however, these undercut grooves preferably extendvertical to the profile axis and accordingly enable a favorableadjustability, e.g., even with profiles of different width. Otherfastening possibilities, which may be adjustable as the case may be, arethreaded bore holes arranged in the fastening surface in an offsetmanner in a grid (according to given profile widths) or fastening tabsat the sides of the closure housings which have a round opening or anelongated hole extending transverse to the profile axis, optionally withlocking ribbing. The lever for opening the closure is preferably mountedso as to be swivelable about an axis extending parallel to the stopsurface and at the height of the shoulder. This shortens the actinglever arm and accordingly increases the stability of the arrangement.The movement path of the handle can be limited by a protuberance whichis formed, for example, by a cylinder lock. It is possible to lock intothe closure in this way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained more fully with reference to embodimentexamples which are shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a latch closure which is constructedaccording to the invention and mounted on two profiles which form partof the frame or part of the door and have undercut grooves;

FIG. 2 is a view from below of the upper (first) hinge housing partaccording to FIG. 1 with associated profile piece;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 withunlocked closure;

FIG. 4 shows a view similar to FIG. 3, but with locked closure andalternative fastening possibility;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the lower (second) hinge housing part of FIG.1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a top view and a side view of a nut (groove block)used for fastening;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a side view and top view of a screw used forfastening a locking protuberance (FIG. 10);

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a shaft pin;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show four different views of the latch of thelatch closure;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show different views of the lockingprotuberance for locking the latch;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show different views of the handle of thelatch closure according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a detailed view of the handle to illustrate itsarticulation;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of the articulated area;

FIGS. 14A, 15B and 14C show three further views of the first hingehousing part of the latch closure according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view along line A—A of FIG. 14C;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 17A, 17B, 17C show additional views of thesecond hinge housing part of the latch closure according to theinvention;

FIG. 18 shows a partial view of the fastening surface of one closurehousing with threaded bore holes arranged in an offset manner;

FIG. 19 shows a partial view of a fastening tab with ribbed elongatedhole; and

FIG. 20 is a side view of a matching bushing for receiving the head of afastening screw.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a latch closure 10 comprising a firstclosure housing 12 with rear-engagement 14 for receiving the latch 16 ofthe latch closure which is arranged in a second closure housing 18 so asto be displaceable against the force of a spring by means of a handle58. In this case, the first housing 12 is mounted on a profile piece 20having a rectangular cross section and an undercut groove 22 on each ofits four side faces. Frames, housings arid similar devices can becomposed of such profiles; for example, the profile 20 is part of aframe at which a door is articulated by means of hinges. Therefore,profile piece 24 in FIG. 1 can be viewed as a component part of a doorwhich can be swiveled in the direction of arrow 26 to open. According toFIG. 1, the second housing 18 is fastened to this profile piece 24forming the closure side of the door. In order to fasten the housing 12or 18 to the frame 20 or door 24, the base surface 28 or 30 of the firsthousing 12 or second housing 18 can be glued, screwed or welded to thecorresponding outer surface of the frame 20 or door 24. However, thetype of fastening selected in this case, in which undercut transversegrooves 32 are introduced into the rear side 28 of the first closurehosing 12, is particularly favorable; nuts and sliding or groove blocks34 (FIGS. 6A, 6B) which are shaped by one side so as to fit in can beinserted into the transverse grooves 32, wherein a fastening pin 36which is guided through the profile piece 20, but inserted through thewall of a housing or crosspiece of a fame in other applications, can bescrewed into the groove block or nut 34. Pins or bolts 36 accordinglyclamp the housing 12 to the profile piece 20 or to the frame by means ofthe groove block or nut 34. FIG. 14A shows that the undersurface 28 ofthe housing 12 forms two undercut grooves 32 opening toward one end insuch a way that it is possible to carry out adjustable mounting verticalto the profile piece extension so as to be fixed with respect torelative rotation.

In a corresponding manner, according to FIG. 1, the second housing 18 isfastened by means of screw bolts and a groove block; in FIG. 17A, seethe undercut grooves 132 which are again open on one side. Due to thefact that these undercut grooves 132 and 32 extend transverse to theaxis of the profile pieces 20, 24, it is possible to adjust the distancebetween the two housings 12, 18 and accordingly to adapt to the spacing38 between the two profile pieces and therefore also to align thehousing with the profile pieces. In the same way, it is possible toadapt to profiles (usually center-drilled) with different widths (whichare delivered, for example, with a width of 25 . . . 50 mm provided inincrements of 5 mm).

Alternatively, the rear side or fastening surface of the closure housingcan be provided with threaded bore holes 133 (FIG. 18) which arearranged in an offset manner, e.g., in the 5 mm grid of deliverableprofile widths.

The gap 38 is bridged by a projection 40 which is formed by the secondhousing 18 and which, when the door is closed as is shown in FIG. 1,lies on an end face 44 which is formed by the first housing 12 and whichextends essentially parallel to the door plane 42. The rear-engagingsurface 14 formed by the first housing 12 for receiving the tongue 16lies below this end face 44 and parallel to it with respect to theprojection 40 as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The wall area of the first closure housing 12 lying between surfaces 14and 44 is accordingly fixed substantially without play between theprojection 40 and the latch 16. This prevents the door from rattling inthe closed state and, at the same time, the projection 40 forms a stopfor the door 24 at the door frame 20, specifically in that theprojection 40 stops against the end face 44.

Further, the projection 40 conceals the tongue 16 along its entirewidth, so that this tongue cannot be pushed back by inserting a toolinto the gap 38 (see FIG. 3), even when, as is shown in FIG. 3, theprotuberance 46 does not prevent it from being set back against theforce of the springs 48, so that it is possible for the door to beclosed while, at the same time, the latch 16 is set back against theforce of the spring. FIG. 4 shows the locked position of the latch inwhich a structural component part which is placed on the square of thiscylinder lock and which forms the protuberance 46 and is shown indifferent views in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D is rotated into theposition shown in FIG. 4 by a cylinder lock 50 so as to prevent adisplacement of the tongue shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, wherein theprotruding structural component part 46 may be fixed to the shaft of thecylinder lock by means of a head screw shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

An elongated spring or strip 54 projects from the support surface 52 ofthe projection 40 of the second housing 18 and can be received in anelongated recess 56 (see FIG. 14c) formed by the end face 44 of thefirst closure housing 12, in order to provide for additional protectionagainst the two housing parts 18, 12 being pushed apart when they are inthe closed position shown in FIG. 1.

It is not until the latch 16 is pulled back from the rear-engagingsurface 14 by actuating a handle lever 58 that the surface 52 of theprojection 40 can be distanced from the surface 44 of the housing 12 andaccordingly the projection 54 can also move out of the recess 56. Thetongue 16 and projection/recess (groove spring) (54, 56) accordinglyform a very secure connection between the two closure housings 12, 18and a strong resistance to unauthorized tampering.

The hand lever 58 which was already mentioned is shown in more detail inFIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 12, 13. It is formed of a metal or plasticinjection molded part and has two laterally open axial bore holes 76 inwhich an axial pin 62 can be received after the two legs 64 of thefork-shaped hand lever 58 have been received in correspondingreceptacles 66 of the housing 18 (see FIG. 16A). Two axial pins 62 whichare inserted through bore holes 68 of the housing 18 and are received inthe pocket bore holes 60 of the hand lever 58 accordingly enable aswiveling of the hand lever 58,with respect to the housing 18, whereinas a result of this swiveling two shoulders 66, 70 proceeding from thehand lever 58 press against stop faces 72 which are formed by the latch16 according to FIG. 9A. The latch 16 is displaced by this pressure inthe direction of arrow 74 and accordingly presses two springs 48 (FIG.3) together, which springs 48 are received in pocket bore holes 76 ofthe latch 16 on the one hand and are supported on projections 78 on theother hand which are formed by the second housing 18 and shown in FIGS.16A and 16B.

The sectional view according to FIG. 16B of the second housing 18 alsoshows an opening 80 in which a lock cylinder can be received, theabove-mentioned protuberance device 46 which is received in the space 82formed by the latch 16 according to FIG. 9A and abuts at 84 when thecylinder lock is located in the locked position indicated in FIG. 4 isarranged at the inner end of the lock cylinder.

Further, FIG. 4 shows another possible form of the fastening, namely, bymeans of projecting plate parts 84 with pocket bore holes orthrough-bore holes 86 through which fastening screws are inserted andwhich enable a fastening of the second housing part 18 at the frame ordoor leaf 24.

Alternatively, an elongated hole 186 (FIG. 19) aligned vertical to theprofile axis can also be provided instead of the round bore hole 186;this elongated hole 186 again makes possible a displacement of therespective closure housing 18 with respect to the profile 12 in order toadjust the housing—also with different profile widths (profiles of thetype described herein have widths of, e.g., 25 to 50 mm delivered inincrements of 5 mm)—in such a way that it is flush with the profile asis shown in FIG. 1 (gap 38). The plate with the round bore hole 86 orelongated hole 186 makes it possible to use a fastening pin with asliding block which is inserted into a profile groove 22; it is notnecessary to drill through the profile in order to insert a fasteningpin 36 (FIG. 1). This results in an adjustable fastening which cannevertheless be favorably protected against displacement by tighteningthe screw. However, if the screw heads are accessible from the outside,the same protection against tampering as that afforded by inaccessiblescrew bolts according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 18 cannot be achieved.Alternatively, a bushing with ribbing and internal thread into which ascrew bolt is screwed can also be used.

The invention can be applied commercially in switching cabinetconstruction among other areas.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the presentinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges may be made therein without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A latch closure for walls, doors and shutterswhich are articulated at frames, or housings by hinges, wherein the Samesurfaces, housing surfaces, door surfaces, shutter surfaces or wallsurfaces which are connected with one another by the hinges areessentially flush with one another toward the outside in the closedposition, comprising: a first closure housing which can be fastened tothe frame or the housing and which has a rear-engagement portion forreceiving the latch of the latch closure in a locking manner; a secondclosure housing which can be fastened to the door and in which the latchis arranged so as to be displaceable against spring force by a handle;said second closure housing forming a projection which contacts an endface formed by the first closure housing essentially parallel to thedoor plane when the door is closed; said end face having a notch or agroove which extends parallel to the extension of the frame; a stripwhich can be received in the groove projecting from the projection; andsaid first and said second closure housings having, in mounting surface,undercut grooves or threaded bore holes or fastening tabs; wherein theframe and the outer contour of the door are formed by profile pieceswhich are outfitted with undercut grooves.
 2. The latch closureaccording to claim 1, wherein the rear-engaging portion formed by thefirst closure housing for receiving the latch lies below the end faceand parallel to it.
 3. The latch closure according to claim 1, wherein aspacer plate is optionally provided between the outer surface of thedoor or frame and a housing mounted thereon.
 4. The latch closureaccording to claim 1, wherein the frame or the like and the outercontour of the door or the like are formed by profile pieces which areoutfitted with undercut grooves.
 5. A latch closure for walls, doors andshutters which are articulated at frames, or housings by hinges, whereinthe frame surfaces, housing surfaces, door surfaces, shutter surfaces orwall surfaces which are connected with one another by the hinges areessentially flush with one another toward the outside in the closedposition, comprising: a first closure housing which can be fastened tothe frame or the housing and which has a rear-engagement portion forreceiving the latch of the latch closure in a locking manner; a secondclosure housing which can be fastened to the door and in which the latchis arranged so as to be displaceable against spring force by a handle;said second closure housing forming a projection which contacts an endface formed by the first closure housing essentially parallel to thedoor plane when the door is closed; said end face having a notch or agroove which extends parallel to the extension of the frame; a stripwhich can be received in the groove projecting from the projection; andsaid first and second closure housings having, in mounting surface,undercut grooves or threaded bore holes or fastening tabs; and whereinthe grooves of the two closure housings extend vertical to the profileaxis.
 6. The latch closure according to claim 1, wherein the two closurehousings have, in their mounting surfaces, threaded bore holes which arearranged in an offset manner in a predetermined grid so as to be adaptedto different profile widths.
 7. The latch closure according to claim 1,wherein the two closure housings have fastening tabs which have a roundopening or elongated hole, wherein the elongated hole extends verticalto the profile axis and is provided with an edge with transverse ribbingfor receiving a bushing with matching ribbing receiving the head or thethread of the fastening screw in order to lock the position of theclosure housing with respect to the profile edge.
 8. A latch closure forwalls, doors and shutters which are articulated at frames, or housingsby hinges, wherein the frame surfaces, housing surfaces, door surfaces,shutter surfaces or wall surfaces which are connected with one anotherby the hinges are essentially flush with one another toward the outsidein the closed position, comprising: a first closure housing which can befastened to the frame or the housing and which has a rear-engagementportion for receiving the latch of the latch closure in a lockingmanner; a second closure housing which can be fastened to the door andin which the latch is arranged so as to be displaceable against springforce by a handle; said second closure housing forming a projectionwhich contacts an end face formed by the first closure housingessentially parallel to the door plane when the door is closed; said endface having a notch or a groove which extends parallel to the extensionof the frame; a strip which can be received in the groove projectingfrom the projection; and said first and second closure housings having,in mounting surface, undercut grooves or threaded bore holes orfastening tabs; wherein a hand lever is mounted so as to be swivelableabout an axis which is parallel to the stop surface and at the height ofthe shoulder.
 9. The latch closure according to claim 1, wherein themovement path of the handle is limited by a stop protuberance on acylinder lock.
 10. The latch closure according to claim 8, wherein therear-engaging portion formed by the first closure housing for receivingthe latch lies below the end face and parallel to it.
 11. The latchclosure according to claim 8, wherein a spacer plate is optionallyprovided between the outer surface of the door or frame and a housingmounted thereon.
 12. The latch closure according to claim 8, wherein theframe or the like and the outer contour of the door or the like areformed by profile pieces which are outfitted with undercut grooves. 13.The latch closure according to claim 8, wherein the grooves of the twoclosure housings extend vertical to the profile axis.
 14. The latchclosure according to claim 8, wherein the two closure housings have, intheir mounting surfaces, threaded bore holes which are arranged in anoffset manner in a predetermined grid so as to be adapted to differentprofile widths.
 15. The latch closure according to claim 8, wherein thetwo closure housings have fastening tabs which have a round opening orelongated hole, wherein the elongated hole extends vertical to theprofile axis and is provided with an edge with transverse ribbing forreceiving a bushing with matching ribbing receiving the head or thethread of the fastening screw in order to lock the position of theclosure housing with respect to the profile edge.
 16. The latch closureaccording to claim 8, wherein the hand lever is mounted so as to beswivelable about an axis which is parallel to the stop surface and atthe height of the shoulder.
 17. The latch closure according to claim 8,wherein the movement path of the handle is limited by a stopprotuberance on a cylinder lock.